Vincent E. Isom
Director, 21st Century Scholars Program
Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs
As director of the 21st Century Scholars Program at IU Bloomington, Vincent Isom and his team of five full-time staff members serve 3,000+ undergraduate scholars from across the campus' 16 degree-granting colleges, programs, and schools.
Under his leadership, the program was honored with a 2015 “Champion Award” from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and more recently received the "2021 Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Advising Program" from NACADA, the Global Community for Academic Advising.
Isom’s multiple personal awards include the Laverta L. Terry Outstanding Service Award; the Faculty and Staff Student Choice Award; University Partner Award; Janice L. Wiggins Staff Academic Service Award; and the Exemplar Award from the IU Neal-Marshal Alumni Club.
He earned a Master of Science degree in college student personnel administration from the IU School of Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in public affairs management from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. After college, he worked at Youngstown State University as academic advisor & resident hall coordinator. The Richmond, Ind., native returned to IU Bloomington in 1999 for a position with the Groups Scholars Program and went on to roles with the IU Thomas I. Atkins Living Learning Center and IU Residential Programs and Services before landing in his current position.
Q: As an IU alum, what led you to return to Indiana University for your professional career?
A: In deciding between a return to IUB and other offers, I reflected upon my experience at Indiana University as a first-generation college student. I had stayed connected to IU and observed the evolution of services and commitment to diversity. From my experience in professional associations, I gained a greater awareness of the number of resources and opportunities provided to IU students from first generation, low-income, and underrepresented populations. My experience gave me an appreciation for working specifically with these populations and advocating for resources that can help students develop a well-rounded college experience. There was another factor that arrived earlier during the year that I made my decision, and this was my daughter: my wife and I wanted to be closer to our family in Indiana.
Q: What do you want people to know about the 21st Century Scholars Program?
A: The first thing is that the state 21st Century Scholars Scholarship Program is one of the most underutilized programs in the state. Anyone who meets the economic guidelines can sign up in the 7th or 8th grade—but if students miss the middle school application period, they unfortunately miss out on the program, which offers specific supporting programming throughout each year of high school. We all need to get the word out to community, friends, and family that a tuition scholarship exists for Indiana families with meager incomes or large families based on the cost of attending IU.
Q: What do you tell students that you wish you'd known as a student?
A: Your major doesn’t determine your career. You can pursue almost any career (outside of those that require specialization, such as CPA and the science core, which offer entry into medical fields). You must gain experience and start professional development as you come into the university. Take advantage of the information being offered by a variety of disciplines. A freshman doesn’t always know the wealth of majors being offered and where they may lead.
Also, studying abroad can be a reality. I would tell students not to confine their dreams to what they think is possible based upon limited exposure or financial means at home. Seek out resources and scholarships to aid in pursuing their goals.
Q: What do you love about your work?
A: I love to meet new generations of students and help them navigate the system, learn the nuances that make them unique as a cohort and as individuals, and assist them in getting through experiences that could be perceived as an insurmountable hurdle that could lead them away from IU. We continually provide opportunities to increase exposure and promote a growth mindset while learning from the individual students each year.
Q: What is your favorite place to spend time on the IU Bloomington campus (or in town)?
A: My favorite place to spend time on campus is our 300 N. Eagleson office and the IMU. In Bloomington, we have a great selection of restaurants, a comedy club, bands that are homegrown or visiting, libraries, and great campus events.
